We have highlighted the addon Cartographer in past AddOn Spotlights. In fact, it was even named one of the essential must-have addons that will work even for a beginner.

Now, The Khorium Toolbox has written up an in-depth, step-by-step guide to Cartographer Routes, an addon that let's you track your gathering nodes and map out a farming route that's comprehensive and efficient. While this addon was featured in a recent Insider Trader column, I believe the guide deserves its own spotlight.

As the author of AddOn Spotlight: For the Timid, I was skeptical once I saw the screenshots provided. It looked complicated, and impossible to set up. Fortunately, this guide will walk you through what to download, where to get it, and how to install it.

The guide also helps you configure the addon so that in the end, you will have a map complete with farming route to optimize your farming time. It also walks you through the mechanics of gas cloud tracking and harvesting.

This is a great guide, not only for engineers, but for any gathering profession. Even if you are weary of complicated addons that take time and know-how to set up, this guide will walk you straight through it.

What addons have you been using for your gathering and farming exploits?

No matter what class you envy, you could get your hands (or paws) on some of their tricks. Of course, as with most things in engineering, the opportunities for use may not be as plentiful as would be desired. In addition, many engineering gadgets have an embarrassingly high failure rate.

Engineering is also the favored profession of many battleground twinks. Some of the tools available have some interesting and effective uses in PvP in particular.

Have you been considering engineering as a profession, perhaps for a twink alt, or through funding from your level 70 character? Do you plan on using the abilities strategically, in battlegrounds, or to fill in gaps in your class, or are you mostly in it for the fun and shock value?

The Khorium Toolbox has recently posted a very thorough article on all of the ways that you can, in fact, make money from being an engineer. Although you are unlikely to make back the cost of leveling the profession any time soon, it's provides some excellent ideas as a start.

Sell-worthy goodies include ammunition, non-combat pets, guns, and fun, quirky gizmos that are the characteristic trademark of the engineering profession.

As a hunter, I definitely benefited from the fact that my engineering guildmate could often provide ammunition, guns, and scopes. I helped out with mats, of course, and I really liked the hand-made aspect of the weaponry.

Some of these items will require you to max out your engineering, so check out Lisa's guide to pushing your skill up to the last.

If you're thinking about taking up engineering, or are an engineer in need of some cash, The Khorium Toolbox has a very thorough guide that you can't afford to miss.